Effects of nitrogen supply on the anatomy and chemical composition of leaves of four grass species belonging to the genus Poa, as determined by image-processing analysis and pyrolysis–mass spectrometry

Previous experiments have shown that the anatomy and chemical composition of leaves of inherently fast- and slow-growing grass species, grown at non-limiting nitrogen supply, differ systematically. The present experiment was carried out to investigate whether these differences persist when the plants are grown at an intermediate or a very low nitrogen supply. To this end, the inherently fast-growing Poa annua L. and Poa trivialis L., and the inherently slow-growing Poa compressa L. and Poa pratensis (L.) Schreb. were grown hydroponically at three levels of nitrate supply: at optimum (RGR_max) and at relative addition rates of 100 and 50 mmol N (mol N)^?1 d^?1 (RAR₁₀₀ and RAR₅₀), respectively. As expected, at the lowest N supply, the potentially fast-growing species grew at the same rate as the inherently slow-growing ones. Similarly, the differences in leaf area ratio (LAR, leaf area:total dry mass), specific leaf area (SLA, leaf arear:leaf dry mass) and leaf mass ratio (LMR, leaf dry mass:total dry mass) disappeared. Under optimal conditions, the fast-growing species differed from the slow-growing ones in that they had a higher N concentration. There were no significant differences in C concentration. With decreasing N supply, the total N concentration decreased and the differences between the species disappeared. The total C concentration increased for the fast-growing species and decreased for the slow-growing ones, i.e. the small, but insignificant, difference in C concentration between the species at RGR_max increased with decreasing N supply. The chemical composition of the leaves at low N supply, analysed in more detail by pyrolysis–mass spectrometry, showed an increase in the relative amounts of guaiacyl lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose, whereas those of syringyl lignin and protein decreased. The anatomy and morphology of the leaves of the four grass species differing in RGR_max were analysed by image-processing analysis. The proportion of the total volume occupied by mesophyll plus intercellular spaces and epidermis did not correlate with the amount of leaf mass per unit leaf area (specific leaf mass, SLM) at different N supply. The higher SLM at low N supply was caused partly by a high proportion of non-veinal sclerenchymatic cells per cross-section and partly by the smaller volume of epidermal cells. We conclude that the decrease in relative growth rate (and increase in SLM) at decreasing N supply is partly due to chemical and anatomical changes. The differences between the fast- and slow-growing grass species at an optimum nutrient supply diminished when plants were growing at a limiting nitrogen supply.     

Plant functional trait variation in relation to riparian geomorphology: The importance of disturbance

This study examined the patterns of plant functional trait variation in relation to geomorphology, disturbance and a suite of other environmental factors in the riparian margin of the Upper Hunter River, New South Wales, Australia. Vegetation was surveyed on three geomorphic surfaces (point bar, bench and bank) along a 5.5‐km stretch of the Upper Hunter River. Functional traits relating to plant growth and reproduction were collected for the identified species. anova and principal components analysis were used to compare the trait assemblages of species associated with each geomorphic unit. Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to investigate trait variation with respect to environmental variables. There were clear differences in the plant functional trait assemblages associated with the three geomorphic units. Generally the point bar was associated with species that were herbaceous, with small seed mass, a short stature and a high specific leaf area (SLA). Conversely, the bench was associated with grasses that had unassisted seed dispersal and intermediate seed mass and SLA, while species on the bank had tall stature, large seed mass, a high SLA and a perennial life cycle. Variation along the primary gradient of plant functional trait composition was most strongly related to disturbance frequency and to a lesser extent soil nutrients and the proportion of clay and silt, while variation along the secondary gradient was associated with variation in substrate texture as well as soil nutrients.     

Evaluating stripe rust resistance in Indian wheat genotypes and breeding lines using molecular markers

Stripe rust (yellow rust), caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is a serious disease of wheat worldwide, including India. Growing resistant cultivars is the most cost-effective and eco-friendly approach to manage the disease. In this study, 70 publically available molecular markers were used to identify the distribution of 35 Yr genes in 68 wheat genotypes. Out of 35 Yr genes, 25 genes amplified the loci associated with Yr genes. Of the 35, 18 were all-stage resistance ASR (All-stage resistance) genes and 7 (Yr16, Yr18, Yr29, Yr30, Yr36, Yr46 & Yr59) were APR (Adult-plant resistance) genes. In the field tests, evaluation for stripe rust was carried out under artificial inoculation of Pst. Fifty-three wheat genotypes were found resistant to yellow rust (ITs 0), accounting for 77.94% of total entries. Coefficients of infection ranged from 0 to 60 among all wheat genotypes. Two genotypes (VL 1099 & VL 3002) were identified with maximum 15 Yr genes followed by 14 genes in VL 3010 and HI8759, respectively. Maximum number of all-stage resistance genes were identified in RKD 292 (11) followed by ten genes in DBW 216, WH 1184 and VL 3002. Maximum number of adult-plant resistance gene was identified in VL 3009 (6), HI 8759 (5) and Lassik (4) respectively. Genes Yr26 (69.2%), Yr2 (69.1%), Yr64 (61.7%), Yr24 (58.9%), Yr7 (52.9%), Yr10 (50%) and Yr 48 (48.5%) showed high frequency among selected wheat genotypes, while Yr9 (2.94%), Yr36 (2.94%), Yr60 (1.47%) and Yr32 (8.8%) were least frequent in wheat genotypes. In future breeding programs, race specific genes and non-race specific genes should be utilised to pyramid with other effective genes to develop improved wheat cultivars with high-level and durable resistance to stripe rust. Proper deployment of Yr genes and utilizing the positive interactions will be helpful for resistance breeding in wheat.     

黄精褐斑病的病原生物学特性

为明确发生在贵州省施秉县的黄精叶斑类病害的病原菌,通过形态学和分子生物学方法对病原菌进行了鉴定,并对其生物学特性进行了初步研究。形态特征及rDNA-ITS、β-tubulin和tef1多基因序列分析表明,该病原菌为棕榈拟盘多毛孢Pestalotiopsis trachicarpicola。生物学特性研究结果表明,该菌菌丝体适宜生长温度为15-30℃,最适温度为28℃;最适pH值为5;以葡萄糖为碳源、酵母浸膏为氮源比较适合菌丝体的生长;菌丝体生长的最佳培养基为PDA;光照对菌丝体生长无明显影响;菌丝体致死温度为45℃。     

利用扁桃斑鸠菊叶发酵高产粗毛纤孔菌胞外多糖的条件优化及其抗氧化活性研究

粗毛纤孔菌胞外多糖是粗毛纤孔菌液体发酵的重要活性代谢产物,但采用常规的发酵方法,粗毛纤孔菌胞外多糖的产量较低。为更好地获取粗毛纤孔菌胞外多糖,本文采用双向液体发酵的方法,通过向发酵培养基中添加适量的扁桃斑鸠菊叶粉末,来提高粗毛纤孔菌胞外多糖的产量,并对优化得到的胞外多糖抗氧化活性进行了研究。以发酵液中胞外多糖含量为指标,采用单因素实验和正交实验优化发酵条件;采用红外光谱对胞外多糖的结构特征进行分析;通过测定胞外多糖对ABTS、DPPH和羟基自由基的清除率来了解其抗氧化活性。结果表明,最优发酵条件为:扁桃斑鸠菊叶粉末添加量0.5g/L、发酵时间10d、pH 6.5、接种量5.0mL,在此条件下,粗毛纤孔菌胞外多糖的产量达到(2.34±0.25)mg/mL,与未添加扁桃斑鸠菊叶的空白组相比,其胞外多糖产量提高了约216.22%;红外分析与抗氧化活性实验结果表明,添加扁桃斑鸠菊叶后的胞外多糖与未添加扁桃斑鸠菊叶的胞外多糖红外主要吸收峰一致,并且对ABTS、DPPH以及羟基自由基清除能力相近。本研究结果表明扁桃斑鸠菊叶能够有效地提高粗毛纤孔菌胞外多糖的产量,为其他珍稀食药用菌胞外多糖的高效生产提供了新思路。     

8种绿化树种光合特性及叶片解剖结构比较

城市绿化不仅包含了园林绿化的美化作用,还具有重要的生态功能,其生态功能是通过植物的生理活动实现的。光合能力在种间和基因型间的变化很大,这些差异通常与代谢和(或)叶片的解剖结构的性质有关。本研究选择8种哈尔滨常见树种,采用Li-6400便携式光合测定系统对叶净光合速率(P_n)、呼吸速率(R_d)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔导度(G_s)、胞间CO_2浓度(C_i)等进行测定,并利用显微镜观察测定叶片厚度、表皮厚度、栅栏组织厚度、海绵组织厚度,从而探讨叶片结构对光合生理的影响。结果表明:8个树种间叶片最大光合速率、气孔导度、胞间CO_2浓度、蒸腾速率、光饱和点差异显著(P <0.05);表皮厚度、栅栏组织厚度、上表皮气孔密度和下表皮气孔密度差异显著(P <0.05)。虽然8个树种间光合能力和叶片解剖结构的差异较大,但分析发现其间也存在一定的相关性。其中,光饱和点与叶表皮厚度显著正相关(P <0.01),相关系数为0.78。胞间CO_2浓度与上表皮气孔密度显著负相关(P <0.05),相关系数为-0.65。而最大光合速率、呼吸速率、蒸腾速率和光补偿点与表皮厚度、栅栏组织厚度、海绵组织厚度、上表皮气孔密度和下表皮气孔密度相关均不显著(P> 0.05)。胞间CO_2浓度与表皮厚度、栅栏组织厚度、海绵组织厚度和下表皮气孔密度相关均不显著(P> 0.05)。光饱和点与栅栏组织厚度、海绵组织厚度、上表皮气孔密度和下表皮气孔密度相关均不显著(P> 0.05)。虽然对叶片结构对生理过程的影响的机理还需要进一步研究,但是我们认为叶片解剖结构的研究可以更好地理解生理指标的变化。     

青藏高原不同海拔高度下全缘叶绿绒蒿叶表皮特征研究

采用胶带粘取叶表皮法,利用光学显微镜观测不同海拔高度下全缘叶绿绒蒿叶片的表皮毛、气孔及表皮细胞结构特征,探讨全缘叶绿绒蒿叶表皮特征与海拔高度的关系。结果表明,随着海拔高度增加,全缘叶绿绒蒿叶片上、下表皮毛密度、气孔密度和表皮细胞密度逐渐增加;气孔器及表皮细胞的长度、宽度和面积逐渐减小;表皮细胞的形态随着海拔升高由无规则形向多边形变化,垂周壁由波状向弓形或平直变化。全缘叶绿绒蒿叶表皮结构在不同海拔高度下表现出的差异,可能是植物长期在高原生态环境下的综合反应,以结构上的变化来适应对高海拔地区的环境特点,为进一步研究高海拔地区植物的适应性提供一定依据。     

Refuse attracts? Effect of refuse dumps of leaf‐cutting ants on floral traits

The nutrient‐rich organic waste generated by ants may affect plant reproductive success directly by enhancing fruit production but also indirectly, by affecting floral traits related with pollinator attraction. Understanding how these soil‐nutrient hot spots influence floral phenotype is relevant to plant–pollination interactions. We experimentally evaluated whether the addition of organic waste from refuse dumps of the leaf‐cutting ant Acromyrmex lobicornis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Attini) alters floral traits associated with pollinator attraction in Eschscholzia californica (Ranunculales: Papaveraceae), an entomophilous herb. We analysed flower shape and size using geometric morphometric techniques in plants with and without the addition of refuse‐dumps soil, under greenhouse conditions. We also measured the duration of flowering season, days with new flowers, flower production and floral display size. Plants growing in refuse‐dumps soil showed higher flower shape diversity than those in control soil. Moreover, plants in refuse‐dumps soil showed bigger flower and floral display size, longer flowering season, higher number of flowering days and flower production. As all these variables may potentially increase pollinator visits, plants in refuse‐dumps soil might increase their fitness through enhanced attraction. Our work describes how organic waste from ant nests may enhance floral traits involved in floral attraction, illustrating a novel way of how ants may indirectly benefit plants.